| The following guidelines can help reduce the risk of | | | | or fire department) available in your area. Go to |
| severe injury to your precious baby if you are | | | | or to find one near you. |
| ever involved in a car accident. | | | | * Ensure that the harness fits your child snugly. |
| *Your child should ride rear-facing until they are at | | | | The harness straps should be positioned in the |
| least 1 and weigh at least 20 pounds. It is best for | | | | slots at or below your child's shoulders when in a |
| your child to ride rear-facing for as long as | | | | rear-facing seat. In a forward-facing typ, the |
| possible. The American Academy of Pediatrics is | | | | straps should be positioned in the slots at or |
| now encouraging children to ride rear-facing until | | | | above the shoulders. |
| they have reached the height and weight limits of | | | | * Ensure that your rear-facing seat reclines at the |
| the convertible car seat, or until the minimum age | | | | correct 45Ës angle so your child's head does |
| of 2. | | | | not flop forward. Many seats provide angle |
| *Once your child has exceeded either the height | | | | indicators, be sure to review the owner's manual. |
| or the weight limit of the infant car seat, it is time | | | | * Do not use any type of insert that did not |
| to change to a convertible type. | | | | come with your car seat since it was not crash |
| * Always use a car seat when transporting your | | | | tested and proven safe with this additional |
| child in any vehicle. | | | | equipment. |
| * Never place the car seat in the front of a | | | | *Do not use a blanket that goes between the |
| vehicle that has a front passenger air bag since | | | | seat and your child because this compromises the |
| this could cause serious injury and/or death if the | | | | integrity. Only use a blanket on top of your child |
| air bags deploy. If you must place your it in the | | | | and make sure that it is no higher than the chest |
| front seat, turn off the airbags. | | | | to prevent suffocation. |
| * Do not use a used car seat that you do not | | | | * Avoid using thick jackets or snowsuits because |
| know the history of. | | | | the extra padding can compromise the snugness |
| * Do not use a car seat older than 6 years. | | | | of the harness. Instead, use a blanket on top of |
| Check the label for the date of manufacturing and | | | | your child and make sure that it is no higher than |
| date of expiration. This information can also be | | | | the chest to prevent suffocation. |
| found on the box that your car seat came in. | | | | * Smaller infants fit more securely in infant-only |
| * Read your owner's manual carefully and know | | | | seats. If needed, use rolled up blankets around the |
| how to operate your car seat. | | | | baby but make sure to NEVER place the blankets |
| * The middle seat in the back of the car is the | | | | under or behind your baby. |
| safest place for a car seat. However, if you | | | | * Babies born before 37 weeks should have a car |
| cannot place the seat in the middle of your | | | | seat challenge test in the hospital prior to |
| backseat, then place it on the side back seats. Be | | | | discharge to ensure that they can ride safely in a |
| sure to read your vehicle's owner manual for | | | | reclined position. If baby does not pass this test, a |
| instructions regarding side air bags. | | | | car bed may be needed. |
| *Ensure that the car seat is installed tightly and | | | | * Joyce's Tip: NHTSA recommends to use shelf |
| properly in the vehicle. If it is able to be moved 1 | | | | liner under your car seat instead of non-slip mats. |
| inch side-to-side at the belt path, then the seat is | | | | Shelf liner is inexpensive and has grip on both |
| not tight enough. There are certified technicians | | | | sides to help reduce sliding. |
| and inspection stations (usually at your local police | | | | |